The Health Youth Centre at Site B in Khayelitsha is the second one to be launched by City Health that is dedicated to the special needs of adolescents. It is conveniently situated for the thousands of learners attending nearby schools.
According to Dr Ivan Toms, Director: City Health, youth needs are centred around family planning, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV testing.
"The old venue was just too small to cater for the growing needs of the community. With an estimated population of more than 350 000, Khayelitsha is plagued by high levels of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. Despite 46% of the population being between 15 and 34 years of age, there is a serious lack of youth recreational programmes and training opportunities.
"Thanks to the initiative of Rev Kelly Kosky, founder of Southern Cross Ministries, several million rands were raised over the past five years for the new building," says Dr Toms.
Construction of the new building, which is triple the size of the old temporary facility, started in January 2006. The new clinic offers consulting rooms for five professional nurses, a visiting doctor twice weekly, two HIV counsellors and several peer educators - as well as rooms for group discussions.
Date: Thursday, 29 June 2006
Time: 10:30
Venue: Youth Health Centre, Sulani Drive, Site B, Khayelitsha.
Speakers: Helen Zille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, who will present a special award to Rev Kelly Kosky of Southern Cross; and Mr Moosa Valli, US Consul-General.
Issued by:
Lisle Brown
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 400 3065
Email: lisle.brown@capetown.gov.za
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023
Dr Ivan Toms
Director: City Health
Tel: 021 400 2100
Email: ivan.toms@capetown.gov.za
